#tjit

[gerardnurse]

[fplteens-blog]

This Just in Thursday: We are crazy about the work of Gene Luen Yang, and his newest graphic novel--The Shadow Hero--is no exception. Take a look at the author describing his newest work and then find a copy at the library. 

[fplteens-blog]

This Just In Thursday: Avalon

"Avalon" by Mindee Arnett is available now and if you're a bit of a sci-fi fan, like me, you've found a winner. A group of teen mercenaries find a conspiracy that could threaten the entire galaxy and Arnett takes you on a ride as you follow them through deep space and beyond.

Check out this review from Good Reads! I love that this book is being billed as being for "fans of Firefly!" That's a major selling point for me.

And here we have the culprit of my now-two-month-long science fiction obsession: Avalon. When I saw it billed as “for fans of Firefly,” I knew I had found a winner. It had everything I was looking for: space, futuristic technology, crime bosses and heart-of-gold robbers, a wee bit of romance, and a bunch of orphans making a family for themselves. So while Avalon has all the plot devices and character tropes that I can’t get enough of, others may find it annoying and cliché – it all depends on what you’re looking for. Let’s get the cliche out of the way: the answer is yes, Avalon does have MANY similarities to Firefly. A goodreads user sums it up in their review here, albeit a bit harshly. There’s the loyal, stoic captain (Jeth) who will do anything for his crew, the kid sister (Lizzie) who’s a whizz with tech, a goofy pilot (Flynn), the badass woman sidekick (Celeste), and the muscle (Shady). But just as I fell in love with Firefly for that perfect combination of characters, I fell in love with Avalon for these teens. Of course there are some differences, but really that mixture is just flawless, and I’ll read it over and over again in whichever book I find it. The plot had some slow parts, but I didn’t find them to be too irritating. It gave room for the characters and their relationships to develop, and Arnett did that very well! I was on my seat half the time, trying to figure out where the plot was going and how all the ends would tie up. And I really enjoyed how the metatech was included: it wasn’t too much jargon, and I think even a sci-fi newbie would be able to grasp it fairly easily. Ultimately, what I fell in love with was the characters. I couldn’t help but root for all of them, especially Jeth as he tried to protect his crew and earn back the rights to his parents’ ship. And I have to give a big thumbs up to Arnett regarding Jeth’s relationship with Hammer, the crime boss. Most YA novels I’ve read just show their MCs get a bit roughed up, a punch here or a bullet to the shoulder there, but Jeth is really thrown to the dogs in some parts. Arnett didn’t shy away from illustrating the torture that Hammer inflicts on Jeth after a mission goes wrong – it made everything a lot more solid, and I could really feel for Jeth after that. So here’s my final word on this book: I loved it. Absolutely adored everything about it! And I can’t wait for book 2 to come out (no release date yet – AHHH!!!). But, I think this is one of those books that not everyone will love, which is obvious since there’s a lot of mixed reviews on goodreads. As long as you know that there are some tropes, a few cliches, and the plot can slow a bit at times, then you’ll be good. Avalon had everything that I really enjoy in a science fiction book, and I can’t wait to read it again.

[fplteens-blog]

This Just in Thursday: Audio books Abound!

We've got a slew of superb audio books just waiting to be checked out. Take a look at the list and reserve a copy for yourself!

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. Find it here.

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. A staff favorite! Find it here.

The Diviners by Libba Bray. Find it here.

Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. Find it here.

I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai. Find it here.

One Year in Coal Harbor by Penny Horvath. Find it here.

Far Far Away by Tom McNeal. Find it here. 

Doll Bones by Holly Black. Find it here. 

[fplteens-blog]

Finally, book three of the Wildwood chronicles has arrived. Written by Colin Meloy of The Decemberists, this fantasy-adventure novel is packed with offbeat woodland escapades. It even comes with its own playlist, curated by the author himself:

1. “Mermaid Parade,” Phosphorescent

I listened to this song over and over while I wrote the last major scene of the book. Somehow, the feeling of bittersweet loss here seemed to just fit with what I was trying to evoke at the end. It’s such a sad story, this one.

2. “The Mother We Share,” Chvrches

Confessional: in fifth grade, I read all of Piers Anthony’s Xanth novels back to back, mostly in bed, listening to tapes on my old Sony Sports Boombox. I would set my alarm and wake up at dawn to read before school; after school, I would climb back into bed and keep reading. I listened exclusively to Scritti Politti and Depeche Mode and Yaz. Any music now that deliberately calls on that golden era of British synthpop makes me think of reading too much.

3. “Native Dreams,” Rose Windows

I can only aspire to the level of epicness that is evident in this song; if only Wildwood Imperium was half as epic, I would be satisfied. I hear marching armies and bloodied battleaxes when I hear this song. This band is so, so good.

4. “Little Red Riding Hood Hit the Road,” Robert Wyatt

For whatever reason, I keep coming back to the Canterbury scene of the early seventies when I think of music that is evocative of the book. Maybe it’s because there’s a funny kind of straddling going on with this top-shelf, university-educated prog music—it has one foot steadily set in the world of folktale and the other foot somewhere toeing about in deep psychedelia.

5. “In the Court of the Crimson King,” King Crimson

More Canterbury scene; this one mentions a fire witch and has a killer riff. And it’s fairly long. I would recommend listening to this song while reading the first chapter ofWildwood Imperium.

6. “The Lady Rachel,” Kevin Ayers

Two things going for this one: Kevin Ayers was a veteran of the Canterbury prog scene, and the titular character in this song shares a name with one of the main characters in Wildwood Imperium. Reason enough!

7. “Janitor of Lunacy,” Nico

Whenever I think of the Verdant Empress, who we meet in the first section of the book, I think that were she at any point to burst into song, she’d likely sound a whole lot like Nico. I’m not sure

what a janitor of lunacy is (apparently Nico’d written this one about Brian Jones), but it’s a kind of creepy that I can really get behind.

8. “I’ve Been a Mess,” American Music Club

I picked this song mainly because of the first line of the first verse: “Lazarus wasn’t grateful for his second wind.” Not to get to spoiler-y here, but I think it’s a sentiment that Alexei, the mechanical boy prince, would relate to.

9. “Night Before Mutiny,” Serafina Steer

“Queen of a wide open sea.” This song makes me think of the loneliness of the ocean, of those who ply the waters of the seas. Prue, later in the book, gets a brief taste of this loneliness and she does not find it to her liking one bit.

We recommend this book for readers in grades 6+

[fplteens-blog]

This Just in Thursday: Jane, the Fox and Me by Fanny Britt

This graphic novel isn't just a favorite of ours, it also got some beautiful reviews. Jane, the Fox and Me follows lonely introvert Helene who is bullied at school, but finds comfort in books. Britt's lovely illustrations follow her quiet journey and quest for understanding. Find the book now. 

Awards heaped on the book: 

A New York Times Best Illustrated Book

Winner of the Governor General's Literary Award for Children's Illustration in French

A Globe and Mail Best Book

A New York Public Library Book for Reading and Sharing